Andy Montoya
Government cheese is a processed cheese product that was distributed by the US government to welfare beneficiaries, Food Stamp recipients, and the elderly receiving social security. It was also used in military kitchens during World War II and in schools from the 1950s onwards. The cheese was produced from a variety of cheeses, including cheddar, Colby, and cheese curds, and made meltable using emulsifiers and blending. Interestingly, despite being designed to melt, some people have observed that it doesn't melt so much as congeal when warmed.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Texture | Resembles cheddar but is like Velveeta; vaguely processed with a hard-cheese feel |
| Colour | Pale orange |
| Shape | Large, rectangular blocks |
| Taste | Meaty, salty, vaguely rubbery |
| Melting | Does not melt, congeals when warmed |
| Nutritional value | More protein per ounce than most public cheese |
| Best dishes | Macaroni and cheese, grilled cheese sandwiches |
| Distribution | Monthly, in 32-ounce blocks |
| Storage | "Missouri cheese caves", underground warehouses in Missouri |
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What You'll Learn
- Government cheese is made from a variety of cheeses, emulsifiers and blended
- It was provided to welfare beneficiaries, Food Stamp recipients, and the elderly
- It was distributed monthly in 5-pound blocks
- It was stored in Missouri cheese caves and warehouses across 35 states
- It was used in grilled cheese sandwiches and macaroni
Government cheese is made from a variety of cheeses, emulsifiers and blended
Government cheese is a processed cheese product that was distributed to welfare beneficiaries, Food Stamp recipients, and elderly people receiving Social Security in the United States. It was also provided to food banks, churches, and military kitchens during World War II. The cheese was produced using federal funds and made from a variety of cheeses, such as Cheddar, Colby, curd, or granular cheese.
The process of making government cheese involves blending these different types of cheeses with emulsifiers to create a meltable product. However, some people have noted that it doesn't melt so much as congeal when warmed. The texture resembles that of Cheddar, but it is more processed and has a hard-cheese feel. It is often described as orange or pale orange in colour, and it comes in large rectangular blocks.
The creation of government cheese began with the Agricultural Act of 1949, which gave the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) the authority to stabilize farm incomes. The CCC, a government-owned corporation, began purchasing milk from dairy farmers that couldn't be sold, processing it into cheese, butter, and dehydrated milk powder. As a result of government support and subsidies, dairy farmers increased milk production, leading to a surplus of dairy products.
The government then faced the challenge of managing the excess cheese, butter, and milk powder. In the 1980s, the government distributed approximately 300 million pounds of this processed cheese to various states, providing it to those in need. This cheese became known as "government cheese" and played a role in the memories of those who consumed it.
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It was provided to welfare beneficiaries, Food Stamp recipients, and the elderly
Government cheese is processed cheese provided to welfare beneficiaries, Food Stamp recipients, and the elderly receiving Social Security in the United States. It is also distributed to food banks, churches, and schools. The cheese was bought and stored by the government's Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), a government-owned corporation dedicated to stabilizing farm incomes.
The distribution of government cheese began in 1982 under the Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Program of the Food and Nutrition Service. The cheese was provided monthly in unsliced block form, with generic product labelling and packaging. It was produced from a variety of cheeses, including Cheddar, Colby, cheese curd, or granular cheese, and made meltable using emulsifiers and blended.
The cheese was a byproduct of maintaining an artificially high and stabilized price of milk through dairy industry subsidies, which produced a surplus that was converted into cheese, butter, and powdered milk. The excess was stored in warehouses across 35 states, creating a strategic Federal food reserve available for unexpected surges in demand, such as disaster relief, and potential crises such as nuclear conflict during the Cold War.
In the early 1980s, the US government distributed approximately 300 million pounds of pungent-smelling processed cheese, which was produced with federal funds. The cheese was described as having a pale orange colour and a texture resembling cheddar, but with a resistant, hard-cheese feel. It came in large, rectangular blocks, weighing 5 pounds each. While some people liked the taste of government cheese, others found it salty and unappetizing.
Today, as part of the USDA Food Nutrition Service Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), eligible seniors over the age of 60 are provided with one 32-ounce block of processed cheese food each month.
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It was distributed monthly in 5-pound blocks
In the 1980s, the US government had a surplus of cheese, which was converted from milk to increase its shelf life. This surplus was stored in hundreds of warehouses across 35 states, with over 500 million pounds of cheese stockpiled by 1983. The government had no idea what to do with all this cheese, and it was costing them money to maintain.
In 1981, Secretary of Agriculture John R. Block brought attention to the issue by presenting a mouldy, deteriorating 5-pound block of cheese to the press at a White House event. He told them that the government had 60 million of these cheese blocks, and they were looking to give them away. This marked the beginning of the distribution of government cheese to the public.
The cheese was distributed monthly in 5-pound blocks, with generic product labelling and packaging. It was provided at no cost to welfare beneficiaries, Food Stamp recipients, and the elderly receiving Social Security. It was also distributed to food banks, churches, and schools. The cheese was produced from a variety of cheeses, including Cheddar, Colby, and granular cheese, and made meltable using emulsifiers. Despite the government's claims that the cheese slices and melts well, some people who consumed it have described it as not melting but rather congealing when warmed.
The distribution of government cheese was an attempt to reduce waste and use all available resources. It was also a way to support farmers and cheese companies by keeping them afloat during a time of volatile milk production and recession. However, there was criticism of the program, with some arguing that it contributed to obesity rates among people in poverty.
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It was stored in Missouri cheese caves and warehouses across 35 states
Government cheese was bought and stored by the government's Commodity Credit Corporation. It was produced from a variety of cheeses, including Cheddar, Colby, curd, or granular cheese, and was made meltable using emulsifiers and blended. The cheese was stockpiled by the government as part of milk price support and was distributed to welfare beneficiaries, Food Stamp recipients, and the elderly receiving Social Security. It was also provided to food banks and churches and used in military kitchens during World War II and in schools since the 1950s.
The excess cheese, after designated uses, was stored in over 150 warehouses across 35 states, creating a strategic Federal food reserve. This reserve was available for unexpected surges in demand, such as disaster relief, and potential crises like a nuclear conflict during the Cold War. The cheese was also distributed to victims of natural disasters following a state of emergency declaration.
In the early 1980s, the U.S. government distributed around 300 million pounds of processed cheese, which had a pungent smell and a distinctive pale orange colour. It was distributed during a volatile period of milk production in the 1980s recession and became an important topic for the press, who learned about the stockpiling of milk products while many Americans faced food insecurity.
Much of the government cheese was stored in "Missouri cheese caves", underground warehouses for storing and ageing cheese in and around the Midwestern state of Missouri. This is part of a national network of such facilities. An article by Modern Farmer implied that all of the USDA's 1.5 billion pounds of cheese were stored in caves near Springfield, Missouri, causing concern in the dairy industry about the potential impact on the market for commercial cheese.
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It was used in grilled cheese sandwiches and macaroni
Government cheese is a term used for "pasteurized process American cheese", which is produced from a variety of cheeses, including Cheddar cheese, Colby cheese, cheese curd, or granular cheese. It is made meltable using emulsifiers and blended. The cheese was provided to welfare beneficiaries, Food Stamp recipients, and the elderly receiving Social Security in the United States, as well as to food banks and churches. It was also used in military kitchens during World War II and has been a part of school meals since the 1950s.
Government cheese was particularly popular for making grilled cheese sandwiches and macaroni. In a recollection of her childhood, writer Tracey Lynn Lloyd describes how she and her cousins would make grilled cheese sandwiches using government cheese. They would slice pieces off the huge rectangular block of cheese and cram them between slices of white bread, frying them in a well-margarined pan. While the sandwiches may not have turned out perfectly, with some ending up on the floor or burnt, the experience created fun memories for Lloyd.
The unique characteristics of government cheese made it ideal for grilled cheese sandwiches and macaroni. Its texture resembled that of cheddar but with a harder, more processed feel. It had a distinct orange color and a meaty, rubbery texture. While it didn't melt easily, it could be made appetizing when combined with other ingredients in dishes like macaroni and grilled cheese sandwiches.
Today, government cheese is still distributed as part of the USDA Food Nutrition Service Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP). Eligible seniors over the age of 60 receive a 32-ounce block of processed cheese food each month. While the exact composition of government cheese may vary over time and by region, it holds a special place in the memories of those who grew up with it.
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Frequently asked questions
Government cheese is a processed cheese provided as part of welfare programs. It has a high oil and moisture content, which may be why it doesn't melt easily.
According to the government, the cheese "slices and melts well." However, some people who have consumed it claim that it doesn't melt and is instead used as a grilling cheese.
Government cheese is made from dairy products purchased by the government from farmers to stabilize farm incomes. It is then processed and converted into cheese, butter, and powdered milk.
Government cheese has been described as tasting like a mix of Velveeta and American cheese. It is said to have a "resistant, hard-cheese feel" and a vaguely rubbery texture.
